May 13, 2025 • 15 mins
The Symphony in the Flint Hills prepares for its final concert on June 14th after 20 remarkable years of bringing music to the Kansas prairie. This signature event has faced growing challenges, including weather disruptions and rising costs, but remains committed to celebrating and raising awareness about one of the last tallgrass prairies in the world.
• Started when Jane Coger hosted the Kansas City Symphony on her property for a birthday celebration
• Final event will be held at the Evans property in Chase County on June 14, 2024
• General admission tickets sold out, but patron packages and sponsorships are still available
• Creates a temporary "city" in remote prairie locations with stages, tents, and amenities
• Features the Kansas City Symphony, Logan Mize, educational tents, a powwow, and stargazing
• The organization hopes to continue its mission of promoting the Flint Hills through other programs
• Has attracted visitors from every state and around the world over its 20-year history
• Weather challenges and rising costs, especially insurance, contributed to the decision to end
• Board Chair Mary Ice hopes the symphony's legacy will be "being remembered for having done it well."
For more information or to purchase remaining patron packages, visit symphonyintheflinthills.org or call the office in Cottonwood Falls.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Philanthropy Today is brought to you by the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundation.
In this episode we feature arecently broadcast segment of
the GMCF Community Hour as heardon NewsRadio KMAN.
Welcome back to the GMCFCommunity Hour here at 1039, and
we've got a few minutes.
(00:20):
Here we're going to learn moreabout the symphony and the Flint
Hills, and, my goodness, thisis quite a story to tell.
And the person here to tell thestory is Mary Ice, who's chair
of the board of the symphony.
And welcome to the GMCFcommunity hour, Mary.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Well, thanks, Dave.
I'm glad to be here.
It's always fun to talk aboutthe symphony and the Flint Hills
, especially when we're having abeautiful day in the Flint
Hills.
Especially when we're having abeautiful day in the Flint.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Hills it is.
I drove up to Lawrence lastweek.
It's such a beautiful time todrive through.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
It really is.
It was all black two weeks ago.
And we drove that way thisweekend and it was just green
and lush and what we expect.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Well, there is quite a history to the symphony and I
don't know if you're aware ofthis, but I was emcee of the
Symphony on the Flint Hills acouple years, yes, and really
enjoyed that role and just havea tremendous appreciation for
this.
But this thing is just stokedin tradition.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
It really is so the way that it started.
Jane Coger had the symphony outto her property to celebrate a
significant birthday many yearsago and so many people who heard
about it or attended decidedthat that was such a phenomenal
opportunity to get people outinto the Flint Hills and to
understand what goes on in thispart of the world.
(01:32):
That's so special to all of usthat they decided to form an
organization and each year wepay the Kansas City Symphony to
come out and perform for peoplewho are our patrons, our general
admission and sponsors.
And it is in a differentlocation almost every year and a
really special time.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
There are a lot of possible locations, because you
like to have it in an area thatis really isolated from the rest
of the world no paved roads,there's paths to get out there,
and you are just really stuck inthe middle of glory.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Well, and it's interesting because Catherine
McPhee performed, I believe,last year and she had no idea.
You know, she's an actress, asinger, She'd been on Broadway
and she said she had no ideawhen they told her the middle of
nowhere, that they really meantthe middle of nowhere and it
was.
It was in a pasture on theEvans property just south of the
(02:32):
Turnpike in the Cassidy area,and it is amazing what our staff
and volunteers and other peoplewe contract with can get set up
.
It is like setting up a city ina week and it's gone shortly
thereafter.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
You know that's a Herculean effort by all those
that are involved, and you gofrom location to location.
Where is the 2025 version ofSymphony going to be?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Well, the 2025 Symphony in the Flint Hills will
be held on the Evans propertyand we're going back to Chase
County and it is atapproximately Kansas Highway 177
and US 50 between Emporia andStrong City, if you're familiar
with that area.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
I am.
Are tickets still available?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
We have sold out of all of our general admission
tickets.
However, we have sponsorshipsand patron packages that are
still available.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Okay, so you can still get in.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Can still get in, and it is something not to miss,
because this is our 20thanniversary and our finale.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
And let's talk a bit about that, because there's a
lot of history to this when youconsider what you've been able
to accomplish over 20 years inbringing something truly special
to the Flint Hills and I knowthat we have a lot of supporters
of the symphony here in andaround the Manhattan area but
this has to be very bittersweetthat this is coming to a
conclusion.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
It is bittersweet.
This has grown into such aphenomenal event and we've had
people probably from every statein the nation and around the
world come.
There's so many things that wefeel like we've accomplished in
bringing our message to heightand awareness of the Flint Hills
to people.
It is bittersweet that we arehaving to say goodbye to our
(04:20):
signature event, which is theevent when we have the symphony
come out and play, but we arehopeful that we'll be able to
continue providing some of ourother programming.
For example, we have art in thegallery in Cottonwood Falls
right now.
That is part of the art showthat is coinciding with the
actual signature event.
We in the past have had a campfor children at Camp Wood so
(04:45):
they could learn more aboutmusic and musical events and
other things that we feel we'vedone in the community to help
get the word out about what aspecial place the Flint Hills is
and help people understand whatour ranchers have done to keep
the Flint Hills intact.
It hasn't been land that anyonehas really wanted to see go
(05:09):
away and it's a very it's someof the last standing tall grass
prairie in the world and wereally need to protect it.
That's also been part of ourmission to get that message out.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
There is a tremendous awareness opportunity here.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
There really is.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Let's talk a bit about some of the logistics when
you bring this in, becausethere's this big stage, there's
this huge tent and you've gotall kinds of things that you
know, that you know from diningand you know having libations
and displaying art, and then yougot parking and all kinds of
other things.
So let's talk a bit about someof those logistical challenges
(05:43):
that you have with the Symphonyand the Flint Hills.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Well, every year because we go to a different
site, we have differentchallenges.
We have to make sure that wehave adequate parking, we have
to have an adequate flat areafor the tents, and then we have
our educational tents that havea lot of information, that are
shared by specialists in theirfields throughout the afternoon.
We have to make sure that we'reworking with the county
(06:08):
officials to know that we haveambulance service available,
that we have other safetyprocedures in place and those
things are very carefully takeninto consideration.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
It takes a lot of people to put this on it takes a
lot of people.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
We have a wonderful staff.
They have done a great job andwe have so many great volunteers
that step up, and we also havea great board of directors.
They are really wonderfulpeople who have worked to
support this organization andcare a lot about making sure
things go well.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
You and your husband Carl have been a part of a lot
of organizations that have beenvery, you know, supportive of
things here in the community andalso with Kansas State and in
other areas.
What does being a part of theSymphony on the Flint Hills mean
to you as board chair and beinga member of this effort?
Speaker 2 (06:58):
I think it's been a real treat to see the type of
people who have.
I'm kind of struggling for itbecause I don't want to get
emotional about this.
We didn't grow up inagriculture.
Carl grew up in Topeka and Igrew up in Baxter Springs and
(07:20):
even though we went to K-Statewe weren't part of the ag
college.
We were in engineering and whatis now health and human
sciences.
So we didn't have thatexperience to understand and
know what it takes to raisecrops, but most certainly in the
Flint Hills, to take care ofthe land, and our ranchers have
done an incredible job of that.
So I think through thisorganization and other
opportunities since we'veretired here, we've really
(07:43):
learned a lot about what aspecial place it is, even beyond
what we knew already.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Yeah, well, that's wonderful.
This is the final, it's thesignature event, and so what do
you hope the legacy of theSymphony of the Flint Hills will
be?
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Well, my hope for the legacy is that we'll always be
remembered for having done itwell.
We feel that as time has goneon, we have added things to it
and there may be a few changesthat we've made, but we've
consistently provided a greatproduct for the community and
it's something that so manypeople look forward to doing
(08:19):
time and again.
But it's also on some people'sbucket list and it should be a
bucket list that is justoverflowing when you have a
chance to come out to this.
I would hope that our legacy isbeing remembered again for
having done it well, but thatwe'll find ways as an
organization to continue topromote the Flint Hills and
heighten appreciation andawareness of the Flint Hills.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
You know, there's been a lot of different
attributes that the symphony hashad, has, you know, conquered
in a lot of respects.
I was part of the event thatwas on the Fort Riley grounds
and that's probably been what 10, 12 years or so.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
But that was just marvelous.
And then I was at one there wasin Chase County as well, and
and I haven't been able to beable to participate or attend
any of the others.
But it's just such a it'salmost a spiritual thing, and I
bet it has to mean a lot to notonly the attendees and the
(09:20):
volunteers, the people that areon staff, but also the people
that are performing.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
I think that's really true.
I think of musicians a lot oftimes as being people who spend
more time indoors, certainlythan ranchers and a lot of
people in this community, andthat may be something that I'm
ignorant about, but for them tohave the opportunity to perform
in one of the most beautifulparts of God's world has to just
be a very moving experience forall of them be a very moving
(09:50):
experience for all of them.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Mary, do you have some plans in the works for
something in the future for thiseffort, whether it be the
symphony as your marquee eventor some other efforts?
Speaker 2 (09:57):
There are a group of people who are looking into some
of the opportunities that wewould hope we could provide
going forward.
I don't think that anything isin concrete at this point, but
we do have a dedicated groupthat really would like to see
the organization continue and weare hopeful that that can
happen.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
That had to be difficult to come to this
decision to end the effort.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
It was very difficult .
There are a variety of factors.
Weather, as many of you know,is always a consideration.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
We had a very bad episode here a few years ago.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
We had a very bad episode.
Unfortunately, no injuries ofany significance.
Quite an experience for thoseof us who are in the parking lot
, but we always have theNational Weather Service on site
and they are giving us constantupdates and their decisions
that have to be made.
Yes, there have been somechallenges along the way, but
(10:51):
it's definitely something that'sbeen worthwhile and we really
wanted to see it make it to the20th anniversary.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Has there been some financial challenges associated
with the effort.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
There certainly have.
I think one of the things ifyou're having any type of an
outdoor festival, the weather ishugely dependent.
We had a very difficult yearwith COVID because we had to
cancel.
The year prior to that we had amicroburst and that was a
devastating blow.
Those things are really hardfinancially and in today's world
(11:24):
people have lots ofopportunities where they spend
their money and lots of choicesto make and you know we are at a
good price point, we feel, forthe product that we offer.
But people have generally beenvery generous but we are seeing
as time moves on, it's becomingmore and more expensive to
produce this event.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
You know I do a lot of work with events and I know
that one of the factors has beenliability insurance.
Yes, sir, and that is somethingthat I don't do a lot of work
with events and I know that oneof the factors has been
liability insurance.
Yes, sir, and that is somethingthat I don't think a lot of
people realize what, howmassively expensive it is to
have an event on this scale andsmaller and larger scales, what
(12:06):
the cost is of those things.
And you know I do a lot of workwith county fairs and it's
become a major hindrance forthose fairs to be able to
continue.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
It absolutely is a large factor in what we have
going on and certainly we needto cover ourselves and we need
to cover the people who areparticipating in the event.
So if we do have somethinghappen, there would be coverage.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Let's talk a little bit about people that can still
get in.
You said your general admissiontickets are sold out and I've
seen people asking, you know, onFacebook.
You know, hey, I want tickets,I want tickets.
You know we're a month away.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
We are, and in past years in the early years, they
sold out almost immediately.
In the past years ticket saleshave lagged somewhat, but we're
assuming because we have LoganMize as an entertainer this year
, as well as the otherentertainment that we provide.
We have a powwow, we havestargazing, we'll have some
(13:02):
dancing going on after, thesymphony performs, educational
tents during the day, all kindsof opportunities to get out and
learn, and I think that aspeople are out enjoying all of
this in its current format forthe last time that it really has
(13:22):
been the go-to get it ticketthis summer, and I think people
have really, you know, I've hadso many people say to me this
has always been on my bucketlist, or every year we've had a
conflict and all sorts ofreasons that they haven't gotten
around to it.
But we do still haveopportunities.
If you get a hold of ourwebsite or you can call the
office in Cottonwood Falls, wehave patron packages available
(13:46):
and, again, sponsorship packagesare available and we're very
willing to take your money forthat.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
And the website is symphonyontheflinthillsorg.
You know, one of the thingsthat we haven't talked about is
the date.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Oh my goodness, how could we not have done that?
Speaker 1 (14:03):
I don't know, we just jumped right into the
conversation it's kind ofimportant to share that it is.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
It's Saturday, june 14th, and we are looking forward
to having a great day.
We're hoping for wonderfulweather, like it is today.
Obviously, we'll have a largecrowd.
We have wonderful volunteersand staff that will be there to
do everything they can to makeit an unforgettable and very
special day for everyone.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Well, things like this don't happen without the
effort of people that volunteerand put their heart and soul
into it through that effort.
So congratulations and thankyou for doing so.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Well, thank you.
I appreciate your giving us theopportunity to be represented
here today.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Happy to do so.
Mary Ice is her name.
She's the chair of the board ofthe Symphony of the Flint Hills
, June 14.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Website is symphonyontheflinthillsorg.
I'm Dave Lewis.
This is the GMCF Community Hour.
Vern is going to return to giveus an update on some other
things that are coming down thepike here at the GMCF Community
Hour.
Here on News Radio KMAN.
Philanthropy Today is brought to you by the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundation.
In this episode we feature arecently broadcast segment of
the GMCF Community Hour as heardon NewsRadio KMAN.
Welcome back to the GMCFCommunity Hour here at 1039, and
we've got a few minutes.
(00:20):
Here we're going to learn moreabout the symphony and the Flint
Hills, and, my goodness, thisis quite a story to tell.
And the person here to tell thestory is Mary Ice, who's chair
of the board of the symphony.
And welcome to the GMCFcommunity hour, Mary.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Well, thanks, Dave.
I'm glad to be here.
It's always fun to talk aboutthe symphony and the Flint Hills
, especially when we're having abeautiful day in the Flint
Hills.
Especially when we're having abeautiful day in the Flint.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Hills it is.
I drove up to Lawrence lastweek.
It's such a beautiful time todrive through.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
It really is.
It was all black two weeks ago.
And we drove that way thisweekend and it was just green
and lush and what we expect.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Well, there is quite a history to the symphony and I
don't know if you're aware ofthis, but I was emcee of the
Symphony on the Flint Hills acouple years, yes, and really
enjoyed that role and just havea tremendous appreciation for
this.
But this thing is just stokedin tradition.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
It really is so the way that it started.
Jane Coger had the symphony outto her property to celebrate a
significant birthday many yearsago and so many people who heard
about it or attended decidedthat that was such a phenomenal
opportunity to get people outinto the Flint Hills and to
understand what goes on in thispart of the world.
(01:32):
That's so special to all of usthat they decided to form an
organization and each year wepay the Kansas City Symphony to
come out and perform for peoplewho are our patrons, our general
admission and sponsors.
And it is in a differentlocation almost every year and a
really special time.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
There are a lot of possible locations, because you
like to have it in an area thatis really isolated from the rest
of the world no paved roads,there's paths to get out there,
and you are just really stuck inthe middle of glory.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Well, and it's interesting because Catherine
McPhee performed, I believe,last year and she had no idea.
You know, she's an actress, asinger, She'd been on Broadway
and she said she had no ideawhen they told her the middle of
nowhere, that they really meantthe middle of nowhere and it
was.
It was in a pasture on theEvans property just south of the
(02:32):
Turnpike in the Cassidy area,and it is amazing what our staff
and volunteers and other peoplewe contract with can get set up
.
It is like setting up a city ina week and it's gone shortly
thereafter.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
You know that's a Herculean effort by all those
that are involved, and you gofrom location to location.
Where is the 2025 version ofSymphony going to be?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Well, the 2025 Symphony in the Flint Hills will
be held on the Evans propertyand we're going back to Chase
County and it is atapproximately Kansas Highway 177
and US 50 between Emporia andStrong City, if you're familiar
with that area.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
I am.
Are tickets still available?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
We have sold out of all of our general admission
tickets.
However, we have sponsorshipsand patron packages that are
still available.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Okay, so you can still get in.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Can still get in, and it is something not to miss,
because this is our 20thanniversary and our finale.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
And let's talk a bit about that, because there's a
lot of history to this when youconsider what you've been able
to accomplish over 20 years inbringing something truly special
to the Flint Hills and I knowthat we have a lot of supporters
of the symphony here in andaround the Manhattan area but
this has to be very bittersweetthat this is coming to a
conclusion.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
It is bittersweet.
This has grown into such aphenomenal event and we've had
people probably from every statein the nation and around the
world come.
There's so many things that wefeel like we've accomplished in
bringing our message to heightand awareness of the Flint Hills
to people.
It is bittersweet that we arehaving to say goodbye to our
(04:20):
signature event, which is theevent when we have the symphony
come out and play, but we arehopeful that we'll be able to
continue providing some of ourother programming.
For example, we have art in thegallery in Cottonwood Falls
right now.
That is part of the art showthat is coinciding with the
actual signature event.
We in the past have had a campfor children at Camp Wood so
(04:45):
they could learn more aboutmusic and musical events and
other things that we feel we'vedone in the community to help
get the word out about what aspecial place the Flint Hills is
and help people understand whatour ranchers have done to keep
the Flint Hills intact.
It hasn't been land that anyonehas really wanted to see go
(05:09):
away and it's a very it's someof the last standing tall grass
prairie in the world and wereally need to protect it.
That's also been part of ourmission to get that message out.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
There is a tremendous awareness opportunity here.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
There really is.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Let's talk a bit about some of the logistics when
you bring this in, becausethere's this big stage, there's
this huge tent and you've gotall kinds of things that you
know, that you know from diningand you know having libations
and displaying art, and then yougot parking and all kinds of
other things.
So let's talk a bit about someof those logistical challenges
(05:43):
that you have with the Symphonyand the Flint Hills.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Well, every year because we go to a different
site, we have differentchallenges.
We have to make sure that wehave adequate parking, we have
to have an adequate flat areafor the tents, and then we have
our educational tents that havea lot of information, that are
shared by specialists in theirfields throughout the afternoon.
We have to make sure that we'reworking with the county
(06:08):
officials to know that we haveambulance service available,
that we have other safetyprocedures in place and those
things are very carefully takeninto consideration.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
It takes a lot of people to put this on it takes a
lot of people.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
We have a wonderful staff.
They have done a great job andwe have so many great volunteers
that step up, and we also havea great board of directors.
They are really wonderfulpeople who have worked to
support this organization andcare a lot about making sure
things go well.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
You and your husband Carl have been a part of a lot
of organizations that have beenvery, you know, supportive of
things here in the community andalso with Kansas State and in
other areas.
What does being a part of theSymphony on the Flint Hills mean
to you as board chair and beinga member of this effort?
Speaker 2 (06:58):
I think it's been a real treat to see the type of
people who have.
I'm kind of struggling for itbecause I don't want to get
emotional about this.
We didn't grow up inagriculture.
Carl grew up in Topeka and Igrew up in Baxter Springs and
(07:20):
even though we went to K-Statewe weren't part of the ag
college.
We were in engineering and whatis now health and human
sciences.
So we didn't have thatexperience to understand and
know what it takes to raisecrops, but most certainly in the
Flint Hills, to take care ofthe land, and our ranchers have
done an incredible job of that.
So I think through thisorganization and other
opportunities since we'veretired here, we've really
(07:43):
learned a lot about what aspecial place it is, even beyond
what we knew already.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Yeah, well, that's wonderful.
This is the final, it's thesignature event, and so what do
you hope the legacy of theSymphony of the Flint Hills will
be?
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Well, my hope for the legacy is that we'll always be
remembered for having done itwell.
We feel that as time has goneon, we have added things to it
and there may be a few changesthat we've made, but we've
consistently provided a greatproduct for the community and
it's something that so manypeople look forward to doing
(08:19):
time and again.
But it's also on some people'sbucket list and it should be a
bucket list that is justoverflowing when you have a
chance to come out to this.
I would hope that our legacy isbeing remembered again for
having done it well, but thatwe'll find ways as an
organization to continue topromote the Flint Hills and
heighten appreciation andawareness of the Flint Hills.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
You know, there's been a lot of different
attributes that the symphony hashad, has, you know, conquered
in a lot of respects.
I was part of the event thatwas on the Fort Riley grounds
and that's probably been what 10, 12 years or so.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
But that was just marvelous.
And then I was at one there wasin Chase County as well, and
and I haven't been able to beable to participate or attend
any of the others.
But it's just such a it'salmost a spiritual thing, and I
bet it has to mean a lot to notonly the attendees and the
(09:20):
volunteers, the people that areon staff, but also the people
that are performing.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
I think that's really true.
I think of musicians a lot oftimes as being people who spend
more time indoors, certainlythan ranchers and a lot of
people in this community, andthat may be something that I'm
ignorant about, but for them tohave the opportunity to perform
in one of the most beautifulparts of God's world has to just
be a very moving experience forall of them be a very moving
(09:50):
experience for all of them.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Mary, do you have some plans in the works for
something in the future for thiseffort, whether it be the
symphony as your marquee eventor some other efforts?
Speaker 2 (09:57):
There are a group of people who are looking into some
of the opportunities that wewould hope we could provide
going forward.
I don't think that anything isin concrete at this point, but
we do have a dedicated groupthat really would like to see
the organization continue and weare hopeful that that can
happen.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
That had to be difficult to come to this
decision to end the effort.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
It was very difficult .
There are a variety of factors.
Weather, as many of you know,is always a consideration.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
We had a very bad episode here a few years ago.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
We had a very bad episode.
Unfortunately, no injuries ofany significance.
Quite an experience for thoseof us who are in the parking lot
, but we always have theNational Weather Service on site
and they are giving us constantupdates and their decisions
that have to be made.
Yes, there have been somechallenges along the way, but
(10:51):
it's definitely something that'sbeen worthwhile and we really
wanted to see it make it to the20th anniversary.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Has there been some financial challenges associated
with the effort.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
There certainly have.
I think one of the things ifyou're having any type of an
outdoor festival, the weather ishugely dependent.
We had a very difficult yearwith COVID because we had to
cancel.
The year prior to that we had amicroburst and that was a
devastating blow.
Those things are really hardfinancially and in today's world
(11:24):
people have lots ofopportunities where they spend
their money and lots of choicesto make and you know we are at a
good price point, we feel, forthe product that we offer.
But people have generally beenvery generous but we are seeing
as time moves on, it's becomingmore and more expensive to
produce this event.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
You know I do a lot of work with events and I know
that one of the factors has beenliability insurance.
Yes, sir, and that is somethingthat I don't do a lot of work
with events and I know that oneof the factors has been
liability insurance.
Yes, sir, and that is somethingthat I don't think a lot of
people realize what, howmassively expensive it is to
have an event on this scale andsmaller and larger scales, what
(12:06):
the cost is of those things.
And you know I do a lot of workwith county fairs and it's
become a major hindrance forthose fairs to be able to
continue.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
It absolutely is a large factor in what we have
going on and certainly we needto cover ourselves and we need
to cover the people who areparticipating in the event.
So if we do have somethinghappen, there would be coverage.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Let's talk a little bit about people that can still
get in.
You said your general admissiontickets are sold out and I've
seen people asking, you know, onFacebook.
You know, hey, I want tickets,I want tickets.
You know we're a month away.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
We are, and in past years in the early years, they
sold out almost immediately.
In the past years ticket saleshave lagged somewhat, but we're
assuming because we have LoganMize as an entertainer this year
, as well as the otherentertainment that we provide.
We have a powwow, we havestargazing, we'll have some
(13:02):
dancing going on after, thesymphony performs, educational
tents during the day, all kindsof opportunities to get out and
learn, and I think that aspeople are out enjoying all of
this in its current format forthe last time that it really has
(13:22):
been the go-to get it ticketthis summer, and I think people
have really, you know, I've hadso many people say to me this
has always been on my bucketlist, or every year we've had a
conflict and all sorts ofreasons that they haven't gotten
around to it.
But we do still haveopportunities.
If you get a hold of ourwebsite or you can call the
office in Cottonwood Falls, wehave patron packages available
(13:46):
and, again, sponsorship packagesare available and we're very
willing to take your money forthat.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
And the website is symphonyontheflinthillsorg.
You know, one of the thingsthat we haven't talked about is
the date.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Oh my goodness, how could we not have done that?
Speaker 1 (14:03):
I don't know, we just jumped right into the
conversation it's kind ofimportant to share that it is.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
It's Saturday, june 14th, and we are looking forward
to having a great day.
We're hoping for wonderfulweather, like it is today.
Obviously, we'll have a largecrowd.
We have wonderful volunteersand staff that will be there to
do everything they can to makeit an unforgettable and very
special day for everyone.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Well, things like this don't happen without the
effort of people that volunteerand put their heart and soul
into it through that effort.
So congratulations and thankyou for doing so.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Well, thank you.
I appreciate your giving us theopportunity to be represented
here today.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Happy to do so.
Mary Ice is her name.
She's the chair of the board ofthe Symphony of the Flint Hills
, June 14.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Website is symphonyontheflinthillsorg.
I'm Dave Lewis.
This is the GMCF Community Hour.
Vern is going to return to giveus an update on some other
things that are coming down thepike here at the GMCF Community
Hour.
Here on News Radio KMAN.
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